OTISVILLE, MI -- It's not often Otisville and Grammy-award winning musicians cross paths, but a medical marijuana facility in the usually quiet community is at the crossroads of rural living and national fame.

The Green Oasis, a small medical marijuana operation in Otisville, recently partnered with Stanley "Flesh-N-Bone" Howse, a member of rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, to cultivate and distribute a new strain of medical marijuana to Flint-area patients.

"We worked closely together to figure out what we wanted out of the medication," Green Oasis owner Anthony Butler said Tuesday, March 19, of his partnership with the famous rapper.

Butler said the strain, called "Phifty Caliber Kush," has a noticeable floral taste and is a very effective pain reliever.

"It's the best of the best," said Butler.

The partnership will allow Butler to cultivate and distribute marijuana and seeds from the new strain.

Michael "Tony B." Bernardi, executive business affairs of Flesh-n-Bone Global, said Howse is in full support of any state that approved medical marijuana and he hopes that the product can provide relief for any qualified, verified patient.

"This is the first of someone I know who had the care and concern to do what's right," said Bernardi.

Such a deal between a 28-year-old Lakeville High School grad and a member of one of the best-selling rap groups of all time would have been nearly unheard of growing up, Butler said.

"It's almost unreal," said Butler. "It's definitely an honor."

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony hit the music scene in 1993. Not long after they became a top act, taking home the 1996 Grammy Award for best rap performance by a duo or group for its hit, "Tha Crossroads."

"People my age would be amazed," Butler joked.

The agreement came about through the owner of a company that specializes in marijuana-themed clothing who Butler once worked with, Butler said.

Butler said he and the company's owner began talking about people who were interested in becoming involved with the medical marijuana industry and he was put in contact with Howse.

The deal may be the first of its kind with such a high-profile musician, Butler said. It has even drawn national attention when celebrity gossip website, TMZ reported the arrangement.

Bernardi said that Howse has always been an "innovator" and a "trailblazer" and that he is proud to be at the forefront of a "paradigm shift in the culture" involving marijuana.

However, the deal does not come without controversy.

Howse was sentenced to a California prison in 2000 for threatening a man with an AK-47. He was released from prison in 2008.

Butler said the rapper's past indiscretions shouldn't impact the new partnership.

"Everyone makes mistakes in life," said Butler. "The key is what you learn."

Bernardi agreed, saying that Howse's past should have no impact on his support of the medical marijuana community.

"Those were growing pains for him," said Bernardi. "We all have transgressions."

Right now, the partners are trying to learn their way around a medical marijuana law that is consistently changing.

The Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling in February affirming the state's right to shut down a Mt. Pleasant medical marijuana dispensary for violating Michigan's public health code.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said the court's ruling empowered county prosecutors across the state to shut down remaining dispensaries that sell marijuana, on the grounds that they are a public nuisance.

Butler said the changes have affected his business. He provides marijuana only to patients who he serves as a registered caregiver, charging them only enough to reimburse him for the cost of growing the plant.

He said Schuette's interpretation keeps him from providing marijuana to registered patients who he is not the caregiver for, leading to calls from bill collectors and patients who he believes could benefit from marijuana treatment.

"I've seen my medicine help cancer patients, people with asthma," Butler said.

Although the partnership may bring Butler personal notoriety, The Green Oasis may begin selling merchandise and possibly host a live visit from Howse in the coming year to help ensure that they can continue providing treatment to patients in need.